MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

THANK YOU for all you've done for animals this year, and for all you will do for them in 2009!



Remember the best Christmas present you can give is NOT to buy a puppy or a kitten. If you did promise your kids a pet for Christmas, give the greatest gift of all - LIFE - to a shelter animal but do your research first so you can be awesome pet parents!

Have a happy and safe Christmas, everyone!

Everyday Hazards You Need To Be Aware Of

This time of year it's common for education groups like CFL to distribute warnings reminding everyone to be careful about holiday hazards. We warn pet owners about the dangers of tinsel and chocolate and a host of other holiday-related items. But something happened recently that made me think we ought to remind everyone of the day to day hazards our pets face. Aspirin for one. Rubber bands. Chocolate. String. Even some toys can be hazardous if a pet if you leave your pet to play unsupervised.

Cats are particularly at risk of swallowing foreign bodies because of their natural curiosity and the unique construction of their tongues. Did you know a cat's tongue is covered with tiny hook-like barbs called papillae? These barbs are placed on the tongue pointing backwards - much like the traffic spikes in parking garages that prevent you from entering through the exit or exiting through the entrance. In the wild, cats used their prickly tongues to remove feathers or fur from their prey and to lick meat from the bones. Once something enters a cat's mouth it doesn't easily come out (that's why cats get hairballs). Our local emergency animal hospital actually has a framed display of some to the things they've pulled out of cats over the years - it includes everything from twist ties to fishing lures to necklaces and much more.

They may soon be adding pony tail holders. Jake, one of our adventurous tabby cats had emergency surgery last week to remove a dozen pony tail holders from his stomach. I knew he'd been fascinated with the little elastic bands since he first found them in my vanity drawer. He'd sit on the vanity counter and fish them out onto the floor, then pick them up and carry them to his food bowl and drop them in. He never tried to eat them - he just carried them to the bowl and then ate his crunchies. But in the back of my mind I always worried that he'd decide one day to do more than just carry them around. So I decided to put them in the very back of the vanity drawer where I knew he could not reach. As it turns out though, Jake was much more determined than I'd ever imagined. He found a small gap between the back of the drawer and the back of the vanity and by reaching up from underneath the vanity he was able to get a paw into the drawer from the backside and fish around until he found what he wanted. And that's how he was able to get hold of a whole package of pony tail holders. Why he ate them and why so many I don't know. But I'd speculate that he tried carrying one and got it stuck on his tongue. They were still in the package and would have been attached to each other somehow. Gives a whole new meaning to "bet you can't eat just one" doesn't it?


So poor Jake had major surgery. He's home now and doing well. He has a 6" long incision, antibiotics, antacids, pain meds, and special food he has to eat for at least two weeks. But he's alive and happy and we're thrilled. And thankful for the real hero in this - our wonderful vet Dr. Tony Lopez at Cornerstone Animal Clinic.


And before you hit the COMMENT button to tell me that we have the soft recovery collar on upside down - we know. But it is enough to keep him from being able to reach his stitches and it is more comfortable for him. And we've convinced him he's now a Super Hero and this is his Super Hero Cape. No need to tell him otherwise.

VP-elect misses opportunity to encourage adoption

Vice President-elect Joe Biden recently missed a key opportunity to set an example to Americans wanting a new dog, when he purchased his new (and, we have to admit, very cute) 3-month-old male German shepherd from a suburban Philadelphia breeder instead of adopting one of the millions of pure bred animals awaiting adoption in shelters across the country.

This move is sure to spark even greater calls by concerned citizens and the animal welfare community for President-elect Obama to send a message of compassion by adopting a shelter or rescue pup for his girls when they move into the White House next year. You can add your voice by signing the petition on http://www.presidential-pooch-pardon.com/!

Mr. Biden did at least ensure that he had the breeder checked out personally by the man who will train the puppy - Mark Tobin, who coordinates the K-9 division for police in Biden's home county of New Castle, Del.

Just a dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog" or, "That's a lot of money for just a Dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, time spent or costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed with my only company being "just a dog" and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by "just a dog." In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think "it's just a dog," you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," just a sunrise" or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure, unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog." It's an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it's not "just a dog." It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman." So the next time you hear the phrase, "it's just a dog" smile - becase they "just don't understand."

The Season of Goodwill

As the cold weather bites down around the country, thousands of animals are at the mercy of the elements - as you sit by the fire sipping your eggnog, please think of how you can help make this winter a little less brutal for a deserving animal!

• Please consider adopting a pet and freeing up some space in your local shelter for a needy critter.
• Make sure any outdoor animals have adequate shelter and bedding to protect them from extreme weather conditions.
• Educate people that tethering their animals outside unsupervised is now against the law, or report offenders to the authorities. Information on the Dallas anti-tethering laws can be found at www.dallasanimaladvocates.org, including downloadable flyers in English and Spanish as well as details about the ordinances themselves.
• Donate bedding and food to your local shelter - donations are down as a result of the economic crisis, but unfortunately the numbers of pets being surrendered or abandoned has increased. Shelters need your help more than ever this winter, to pick up the extra load!

This is the season of goodwill - a little help can go a long way, so please extend your holiday cheer to the animals and the people who care for them!

Pampered Chef update

Some of you have expressed difficulty with the link to order Pampered Chef products online from our earlier post. We apologize for the confusion and definitely want to make it easy for you.

Here's the updated link:
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/shelleycancook?page=host-search-results&showId=1878208

Once there, just start shopping, it's that easy - follow this link, find great products and help raise money for humane education!